ell, I will try to be a good smith. I have played
anvil long enough, and hard enough have been the blows dealt me by Count
Schwarzenberg. I shall now try being the fist that guides the hammer, and
I think I have a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the
hammer as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter."

"A great and noble task has God committed to your highness," said
Leuchtmar; "to you is it given to create your own state, and what you
shall be hereafter you will owe to your own powers."

"And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and followers!"
cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand to his faithful counselor,
"although now I only know two men on whom I can rely--yourself and
Burgsdorf. But together we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident
that great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you may see
what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old Burgsdorf."

With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened it. "Colonel von
Burgsdorf!" he cried, then turned, strode through the cabinet and seated
himself in the armchair before his father's writing table.

In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel von Burgsdorf, his
broad, red face wearing an embarrassed expression. Standing still in the
doorway, he looked across at the Elector, who, his back half turned,
seemed to take no notice of his approach.

"No doubt," said Burgsdorf to himself, "he has had me summoned in order to
give me my discharge; he has not yet forgotten how desperate I was in the
year '38. It is over with you, Conrad, and you can go home, because, like
the old ass that you are, in sooth, you uttered aloud the pent-up agony of
your soul!"

But while he was talking thus to himself with deep resentment, his
countenance expressed nothing but devotion and anxiety; in humble,
soldierly attitude he stood in the door. The Elector had his eyes fixed
upon some papers lying on the table before him, and seemed absorbed in
their perusal. Leuchtmar at last ventured to accost him.

"Gracious sir," he said softly, "Colonel von Burgsdorf, whom you called,
has come in and is waiting for your orders."

"He is waiting!" cried the Elector. "Then I shall certainly have to ask
his pardon in the end, for well I know that Colonel Burgsdorf does not
understand waiting."

"Without doubt," repeated Burgsdorf to himself, "he has summoned me merely
to give me my discharge."

"Colonel von Bu